SEABA Cup: Gilas Cadets thrash Indonesia ahead of Thailand clash

Photo from Stankovic SEABA Cup website https://sport.mthai.com/stankovic/.

Gilas Pilipinas churned out another stellar showing last night, pummeling Indonesia in a relaxing 83-52 win that served as a light workout prior to its toughest battle in the 5th SEABA Stankovic Cup 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mike Tolomia breezed through Indonesia’s token defense with 12 points and seven assists while fellow FEU star Roger Pogoy also contributed 12 points and had four steals to highlight the unbeaten Filipinos’ third straight victory.

Well-augured as a warmup for their much-awaited face-off with Thailand, the Nationals were on target right from the start.

They created a 15-point gap in the first half and never looked back by controlling the paint and forcing the Indonesians to commit costly turnovers with a smothering defensive blanket.

Kevin Ferrer scored 10 points, Troy Rosario had nine and grabbed nine of the team’s 54 rebounds and Jiovani Jalalon followed up his acts of heroism against Singapore with nine points and seven assists.

On dealing Indonesia’s third consecutive defeat, the Filipinos shared the leather better with 19 assists and had 16 steals, majority of which they converted into 33 points off turnovers.

Gilas also banged in 32 points around the rim with the 6-foot-10 Ken Holmqvist, Raymar Jose and Rosario bruising it up in the paint.

But as coach Nash Racela sees it, these efforts should be doubled against the Thais.

“As a team, we have the tendency to relax when we’re already ahead,’’ said Racela. “We cannot do that against Thailand.’’

The Thais, who demolished Indonesia and Malaysia, defeated these two opponents by an average of 32 points.

Surliyadin Surliyadin had 12 points, the only bright spot for the Indonesians who struggled from the field throughout with a 20 of 69 shooting percentage.

The Scores

GILAS 83—Tolomia 12, Pogoy 12, Ferrer 10, Rosario 9, Jalalon 9, Belo 8, Holmqvist 7, Pessumal 6, Jose 4, Vosotros 4, Escoto 2, Tibayan 0.
INDONESIA 52—Surliyadin 12, Handoyo 7, Wardana 7, Tuasela 6, Heryadi 5, Sugianto 5, Muhamad 5, Maryono 3, Syah 2, Da Silva 0, Purnomo 0.

Quarters: 25-16, 41-26, 60-43, 83-52.